Millwall

Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has apologised to Rochdale for claiming their pitch posed a “massive risk” to his players. Pochettino takes his Spurs team to Spotland to face League One Rochdale in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Sunday, just five days after the superb Champions League fightback against Juventus. In response to concerns over their playing surface, Rochdale have spent £500,000 on re-laying their pitch and the move has satisfied Pochettino, who is planning to start central defender Toby Alderweireld on it. Alderweireld was left out of the trip to Juventus for fitness reasons, although Telegraph Sport understands talks over a new contract for the Belgian have stalled. Pochettino will make a late call on striker Harry Kane, who twisted his ankle against Juventus, and the Argentine said: “I want to apologise to the people in Rochdale, the chairman, and the people who took my comment the wrong way. “My comment was about the care, first of all for the Rochdale players, our players, and the competition that all of England watches on TV. Credit: GETTY IMAGES “After the replay against Newport, I was with my coaching staff and they showed me a picture from Rochdale's pitch after their tie against Millwall and it was not in a great condition. “I was conscious about the FA Cup, the football, and the image that we are going to sell, but the care for the players, too. “Now, when I see the pictures and videos of the pitch on the Rochdale website, I need to congratulate them because the effort was massive to get it in the best condition to play without risk. “The conditions are fantastic, so I congratulate them. The effort has been massive and, again, I apologise if someone took my words in the wrong way.” GALLERY | The players enjoyed a training session on the new #CrownOilArena pitch on Thursday afternoon. Take a look at a few photos from the session here https://t.co/FIvseFJWr9#RAFCpic.twitter.com/Ud0okFirxI— Rochdale AFC (@officiallydale) February 15, 2018 Following victories against Manchester United and Arsenal, and their Champions League draw in Turin, Spurs will be expected to comfortably seal their progression through to the quarter-finals. But Pochettino warned: “What is important is to forget what happened in Turin or against Arsenal. We don't have time to enjoy that we won the derby, or our draw in Turin and how we played in the Champions League on Tuesday night. “This is a different game, a different competition and it will be tough. For me it will be a tougher game than Juventus or Arsenal because it is a challenge to be motivated in a competition that we want to go far in, but you have to perform at your best if you want to win.” As revealed by Telegraph Sport this week, Tottenham are willing to hand Pochettino a new contract with Real Madrid yet to decide on a preferred candidate to replace Zinedine Zidane if the Frenchman is sacked.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has apologised to Rochdale for claiming their pitch posed a “massive risk” to his players. Pochettino takes his Spurs team to Spotland to face League One Rochdale in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Sunday, just five days after the superb Champions League fightback against Juventus. In response to concerns over their playing surface, Rochdale have spent £500,000 on re-laying their pitch and the move has satisfied Pochettino, who is planning to start central defender Toby Alderweireld on it. Alderweireld was left out of the trip to Juventus for fitness reasons, although Telegraph Sport understands talks over a new contract for the Belgian have stalled. Pochettino will make a late call on striker Harry Kane, who twisted his ankle against Juventus, and the Argentine said: “I want to apologise to the people in Rochdale, the chairman, and the people who took my comment the wrong way. “My comment was about the care, first of all for the Rochdale players, our players, and the competition that all of England watches on TV. Credit: GETTY IMAGES “After the replay against Newport, I was with my coaching staff and they showed me a picture from Rochdale's pitch after their tie against Millwall and it was not in a great condition. “I was conscious about the FA Cup, the football, and the image that we are going to sell, but the care for the players, too. “Now, when I see the pictures and videos of the pitch on the Rochdale website, I need to congratulate them because the effort was massive to get it in the best condition to play without risk. “The conditions are fantastic, so I congratulate them. The effort has been massive and, again, I apologise if someone took my words in the wrong way.” GALLERY | The players enjoyed a training session on the new #CrownOilArena pitch on Thursday afternoon. Take a look at a few photos from the session here https://t.co/FIvseFJWr9#RAFCpic.twitter.com/Ud0okFirxI— Rochdale AFC (@officiallydale) February 15, 2018 Following victories against Manchester United and Arsenal, and their Champions League draw in Turin, Spurs will be expected to comfortably seal their progression through to the quarter-finals. But Pochettino warned: “What is important is to forget what happened in Turin or against Arsenal. We don't have time to enjoy that we won the derby, or our draw in Turin and how we played in the Champions League on Tuesday night. “This is a different game, a different competition and it will be tough. For me it will be a tougher game than Juventus or Arsenal because it is a challenge to be motivated in a competition that we want to go far in, but you have to perform at your best if you want to win.” As revealed by Telegraph Sport this week, Tottenham are willing to hand Pochettino a new contract with Real Madrid yet to decide on a preferred candidate to replace Zinedine Zidane if the Frenchman is sacked.

The Rochdale pitch during their FA Cup match against Millwall this week.

Tim Cahill in line for second Millwall debut against Cardiff

Tim Cahill in line for second Millwall debut against Cardiff

Tim Cahill in line for second Millwall debut against Cardiff

Tim Cahill in line for second Millwall debut against Cardiff

Mauricio Pochettino: Spurs players will risk injury if made to play on Rochdale pitch

Mauricio Pochettino, the Tottenham Hotspur manager, has said that Rochdale’s sand-covered pitch is not fit to host their fifth-round match later this month. Spurs are due to travel to Spotland on Sunday week after Rochdale defeated Millwall in an FA Cup replay on Tuesday. Neil Harris, the Millwall manager, said after the game the pitch was the worst he had ever seen. And Pochettino, who has seen pictures of the surface, believes both sets of players would be at risk of injury if they were to play at Spotland. The Spurs manager also called on the Football Association to assess the surface before allowing any match to take place. “I think the FA need to assess how the pitch is and then to take a decision about if it’s good for the FA Cup, good for the players, good for the teams to play in this type of pitch,” Pochettino said. “In that condition I think it does not help football. Pochettino is chasing his first trophy as a manager Credit: Getty images “I don’t know why what happened, happened with this pitch but it is true that the picture [I have seen], I think it is not a pitch in a condition to play football.” Asked if he was worried about his players picking up injuries, Pochettino said: “Yes, but I think the opponent, too. I think it is a big risk to play in a pitch like this, if the pictures I have seen give an accurate impression of the state of it. “If it is like I saw in the pictures, I think you cannot play football on it. That is my point of view. But not because we are Tottenham. No, I think Rochdale cannot play football there, too. And it’s a massive risk for their players, too. Sand covers the Rochdale pitch Credit: Getty images “Maybe the FA need to go in and try to take a very good decision for football, not only because we have to go and play there.” Pochettino added that he would speak to Spurs chairman Daniel Levy to “see if we can find some solutions”. It is understood that it is unlikely the venue of the game would be switched by the FA, which expects the match to go ahead at Spotland as planned. The pitch was of course deemed playable for Tuesday night’s meeting with Millwall. Spurs face Arsenal at Wembley on Saturday and Pochettino said that Lucas Moura, the club’s £25m signing from Paris Saint-Germain, was “in contention” to make his debut.

Mauricio Pochettino: Spurs players will risk injury if made to play on Rochdale pitch

Mauricio Pochettino, the Tottenham Hotspur manager, has said that Rochdale’s sand-covered pitch is not fit to host their fifth-round match later this month. Spurs are due to travel to Spotland on Sunday week after Rochdale defeated Millwall in an FA Cup replay on Tuesday. Neil Harris, the Millwall manager, said after the game the pitch was the worst he had ever seen. And Pochettino, who has seen pictures of the surface, believes both sets of players would be at risk of injury if they were to play at Spotland. The Spurs manager also called on the Football Association to assess the surface before allowing any match to take place. “I think the FA need to assess how the pitch is and then to take a decision about if it’s good for the FA Cup, good for the players, good for the teams to play in this type of pitch,” Pochettino said. “In that condition I think it does not help football. Pochettino is chasing his first trophy as a manager Credit: Getty images “I don’t know why what happened, happened with this pitch but it is true that the picture [I have seen], I think it is not a pitch in a condition to play football.” Asked if he was worried about his players picking up injuries, Pochettino said: “Yes, but I think the opponent, too. I think it is a big risk to play in a pitch like this, if the pictures I have seen give an accurate impression of the state of it. “If it is like I saw in the pictures, I think you cannot play football on it. That is my point of view. But not because we are Tottenham. No, I think Rochdale cannot play football there, too. And it’s a massive risk for their players, too. Sand covers the Rochdale pitch Credit: Getty images “Maybe the FA need to go in and try to take a very good decision for football, not only because we have to go and play there.” Pochettino added that he would speak to Spurs chairman Daniel Levy to “see if we can find some solutions”. It is understood that it is unlikely the venue of the game would be switched by the FA, which expects the match to go ahead at Spotland as planned. The pitch was of course deemed playable for Tuesday night’s meeting with Millwall. Spurs face Arsenal at Wembley on Saturday and Pochettino said that Lucas Moura, the club’s £25m signing from Paris Saint-Germain, was “in contention” to make his debut.

Mauricio Pochettino: Spurs players will risk injury if made to play on Rochdale pitch

Mauricio Pochettino, the Tottenham Hotspur manager, has said that Rochdale’s sand-covered pitch is not fit to host their fifth-round match later this month. Spurs are due to travel to Spotland on Sunday week after Rochdale defeated Millwall in an FA Cup replay on Tuesday. Neil Harris, the Millwall manager, said after the game the pitch was the worst he had ever seen. And Pochettino, who has seen pictures of the surface, believes both sets of players would be at risk of injury if they were to play at Spotland. The Spurs manager also called on the Football Association to assess the surface before allowing any match to take place. “I think the FA need to assess how the pitch is and then to take a decision about if it’s good for the FA Cup, good for the players, good for the teams to play in this type of pitch,” Pochettino said. “In that condition I think it does not help football. Pochettino is chasing his first trophy as a manager Credit: Getty images “I don’t know why what happened, happened with this pitch but it is true that the picture [I have seen], I think it is not a pitch in a condition to play football.” Asked if he was worried about his players picking up injuries, Pochettino said: “Yes, but I think the opponent, too. I think it is a big risk to play in a pitch like this, if the pictures I have seen give an accurate impression of the state of it. “If it is like I saw in the pictures, I think you cannot play football on it. That is my point of view. But not because we are Tottenham. No, I think Rochdale cannot play football there, too. And it’s a massive risk for their players, too. Sand covers the Rochdale pitch Credit: Getty images “Maybe the FA need to go in and try to take a very good decision for football, not only because we have to go and play there.” Pochettino added that he would speak to Spurs chairman Daniel Levy to “see if we can find some solutions”. It is understood that it is unlikely the venue of the game would be switched by the FA, which expects the match to go ahead at Spotland as planned. The pitch was of course deemed playable for Tuesday night’s meeting with Millwall. Spurs face Arsenal at Wembley on Saturday and Pochettino said that Lucas Moura, the club’s £25m signing from Paris Saint-Germain, was “in contention” to make his debut.

Rochdale ready to welcome Harry Kane and Dele Alli back to Spotland – where the pitch is like Blackpool beach

Tottenham Hotspur's prize for winning Wednesday night's replay over Newport County is a fifth-round tie next week away to League One strugglers Rochdale – and switching their pristine Wembley pitch for Spotland, one of the worst playing surfaces in the England league. It could be the ultimate FA Cup leveller. “Rochdale? I hear it’s not in the best condition,” said Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino after Wednesday night’s 2-0 win over Newport County. “The conditions [at Spotland] are for them as well as us. The FA Cup is difficult, look at this replay against a League Two team.” The surroundings will at least be familiar to some of the Tottenham players. Harry Kane made his Football League debut there while on loan at Leyton Orient, and Dele Alli played there with MK Dons, but they did not have to cope with a surface quite as bad as on Tuesday night, when Ian ­Henderson’s fifth FA Cup goal of the season knocked out Millwall. Neil Harris, the Championship club’s manager, labelled the sand-covered pitch the worst that he had ever seen. Henderson’s goal booked ­Rochdale’s place in the last 16 for the third time in their history. ­Volunteers – and several tonnes of sand – helped the pitch to pass an inspection just hours before kick-off. “I thought I was on Blackpool beach when I first stepped on it,” Henderson said. “You have to be incredibly brave as a footballer to still want the ball, to still run just as hard. Regardless of the ­surface, it takes an element of ­technical ability to pass the ball. The playing surface at Spotland resembles a beach, according to Rochdale forward Henderson Credit: Getty Images “You saw some good football and if it had been on a better pitch, you would have gone ‘wow’. It was a good footballing goal on a difficult surface. “You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to see it’s not Wembley. It isn’t. I don’t make excuses. ” Henderson said Kane and Alli would get a warm welcome back to Spotland. Kane came on for 17 ­minutes as a substitute in a 1-1 draw in January 2011, while Alli played there in 2015. Henderson said of Alli: “The majority of these boys have played against him and they dominated him when he was at MK Dons. So, for them it will just be a case of playing against him again, but playing for Spurs. FA Cup fifth-round draw “You see the young players at this club, they are exceptionally talented, they are aspiring to be in the ­Premier League. “So, if they are put up against Kane they are going to do their best to stop him scoring goals.” Spurs can expect a hard time from the home fans if Millwall’s ­experience is anything to go by. Harris described them as a ­“disgrace”, claiming that his players “were treated very badly” and that he and his staff were abused.

Rochdale ready to welcome Harry Kane and Dele Alli back to Spotland – where the pitch is like Blackpool beach

Tottenham Hotspur's prize for winning Wednesday night's replay over Newport County is a fifth-round tie next week away to League One strugglers Rochdale – and switching their pristine Wembley pitch for Spotland, one of the worst playing surfaces in the England league. It could be the ultimate FA Cup leveller. “Rochdale? I hear it’s not in the best condition,” said Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino after Wednesday night’s 2-0 win over Newport County. “The conditions [at Spotland] are for them as well as us. The FA Cup is difficult, look at this replay against a League Two team.” The surroundings will at least be familiar to some of the Tottenham players. Harry Kane made his Football League debut there while on loan at Leyton Orient, and Dele Alli played there with MK Dons, but they did not have to cope with a surface quite as bad as on Tuesday night, when Ian ­Henderson’s fifth FA Cup goal of the season knocked out Millwall. Neil Harris, the Championship club’s manager, labelled the sand-covered pitch the worst that he had ever seen. Henderson’s goal booked ­Rochdale’s place in the last 16 for the third time in their history. ­Volunteers – and several tonnes of sand – helped the pitch to pass an inspection just hours before kick-off. “I thought I was on Blackpool beach when I first stepped on it,” Henderson said. “You have to be incredibly brave as a footballer to still want the ball, to still run just as hard. Regardless of the ­surface, it takes an element of ­technical ability to pass the ball. The playing surface at Spotland resembles a beach, according to Rochdale forward Henderson Credit: Getty Images “You saw some good football and if it had been on a better pitch, you would have gone ‘wow’. It was a good footballing goal on a difficult surface. “You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to see it’s not Wembley. It isn’t. I don’t make excuses. ” Henderson said Kane and Alli would get a warm welcome back to Spotland. Kane came on for 17 ­minutes as a substitute in a 1-1 draw in January 2011, while Alli played there in 2015. Henderson said of Alli: “The majority of these boys have played against him and they dominated him when he was at MK Dons. So, for them it will just be a case of playing against him again, but playing for Spurs. FA Cup fifth-round draw “You see the young players at this club, they are exceptionally talented, they are aspiring to be in the ­Premier League. “So, if they are put up against Kane they are going to do their best to stop him scoring goals.” Spurs can expect a hard time from the home fans if Millwall’s ­experience is anything to go by. Harris described them as a ­“disgrace”, claiming that his players “were treated very badly” and that he and his staff were abused.

Is this where free-scoring Harry Kane will come unstuck?

Rochdale FA Cup match winner Ian Henderson hopes he has the chance to re-introduce Harry Kane and Dele Alli to the delights of his Spotland home in next week’s FA Cup fifth round tie. The League One strugglers secured their place in the last 16 for just the third time in history when they edged out Millwall in Tuesday’s replay thanks to Henderson scoring the only goal of the game. That means that if Tottenham get through their own replay, against League Two Newport County tonight, Mauricio Pochettino’s Premier League side will be heading to play on Dale’s sand-covered pitch. Not that it will be a new experience for Spurs’ two England stars. Kane actually made his league debut, while on loan with Leyton Orient, in a 17-minute substitute appearance in a 1-1 draw at Spotland in January 2011. Rochdale beat Millwall to set-up a potential clash with Spurs Credit: Getty Images And Alli played at Rochdale’s home when he was a youngster making his way in the game, with MK Dons in 2015. Henderson said: “The majority of these boys have played against him and they dominated him when he was at MK Dons. “I don’t know if you have watched any of the games against Rochdale when he was at MK, but the boys at the time dominated the game. “So for them it will just be a case of playing against him again, but playing for Spurs. “You see the young players at this club, they are exceptionally talented, they are aspiring to be in the Premier League. “So if they are put up against Harry Kane - and no disrespect to Harry Kane because he is an unbelievable player, an elite soccer player - they are going to do their best to stop him scoring goals. Henderson has now scored five goals in the FA Cup this season Credit: Getty Images “They want to impress because it’s an opportunity to showcase their skill set against a Premier League side.” Henderson has now scored five times in the FA Cup this season and has helped position Rochdale for their best-ever run if they should manage to reach the quarter-finals. And the fact Keith Hill’s side has beaten Championship opposition in Millwall means the veteran striker refuses to write off Newport’s hopes of an upset tonight. He added: “Who knows? Spurs have to play Newport. “You see the magic of the Cup when we have beaten a team from a higher league, so you never know what’s going to happen. Who knows? Football is a magical game. “Spurs could have a real off night and Newport could be exceptional.”

Is this where free-scoring Harry Kane will come unstuck?

Rochdale FA Cup match winner Ian Henderson hopes he has the chance to re-introduce Harry Kane and Dele Alli to the delights of his Spotland home in next week’s FA Cup fifth round tie. The League One strugglers secured their place in the last 16 for just the third time in history when they edged out Millwall in Tuesday’s replay thanks to Henderson scoring the only goal of the game. That means that if Tottenham get through their own replay, against League Two Newport County tonight, Mauricio Pochettino’s Premier League side will be heading to play on Dale’s sand-covered pitch. Not that it will be a new experience for Spurs’ two England stars. Kane actually made his league debut, while on loan with Leyton Orient, in a 17-minute substitute appearance in a 1-1 draw at Spotland in January 2011. Rochdale beat Millwall to set-up a potential clash with Spurs Credit: Getty Images And Alli played at Rochdale’s home when he was a youngster making his way in the game, with MK Dons in 2015. Henderson said: “The majority of these boys have played against him and they dominated him when he was at MK Dons. “I don’t know if you have watched any of the games against Rochdale when he was at MK, but the boys at the time dominated the game. “So for them it will just be a case of playing against him again, but playing for Spurs. “You see the young players at this club, they are exceptionally talented, they are aspiring to be in the Premier League. “So if they are put up against Harry Kane - and no disrespect to Harry Kane because he is an unbelievable player, an elite soccer player - they are going to do their best to stop him scoring goals. Henderson has now scored five goals in the FA Cup this season Credit: Getty Images “They want to impress because it’s an opportunity to showcase their skill set against a Premier League side.” Henderson has now scored five times in the FA Cup this season and has helped position Rochdale for their best-ever run if they should manage to reach the quarter-finals. And the fact Keith Hill’s side has beaten Championship opposition in Millwall means the veteran striker refuses to write off Newport’s hopes of an upset tonight. He added: “Who knows? Spurs have to play Newport. “You see the magic of the Cup when we have beaten a team from a higher league, so you never know what’s going to happen. Who knows? Football is a magical game. “Spurs could have a real off night and Newport could be exceptional.”

Is this where free-scoring Harry Kane will come unstuck?

Rochdale FA Cup match winner Ian Henderson hopes he has the chance to re-introduce Harry Kane and Dele Alli to the delights of his Spotland home in next week’s FA Cup fifth round tie. The League One strugglers secured their place in the last 16 for just the third time in history when they edged out Millwall in Tuesday’s replay thanks to Henderson scoring the only goal of the game. That means that if Tottenham get through their own replay, against League Two Newport County tonight, Mauricio Pochettino’s Premier League side will be heading to play on Dale’s sand-covered pitch. Not that it will be a new experience for Spurs’ two England stars. Kane actually made his league debut, while on loan with Leyton Orient, in a 17-minute substitute appearance in a 1-1 draw at Spotland in January 2011. Rochdale beat Millwall to set-up a potential clash with Spurs Credit: Getty Images And Alli played at Rochdale’s home when he was a youngster making his way in the game, with MK Dons in 2015. Henderson said: “The majority of these boys have played against him and they dominated him when he was at MK Dons. “I don’t know if you have watched any of the games against Rochdale when he was at MK, but the boys at the time dominated the game. “So for them it will just be a case of playing against him again, but playing for Spurs. “You see the young players at this club, they are exceptionally talented, they are aspiring to be in the Premier League. “So if they are put up against Harry Kane - and no disrespect to Harry Kane because he is an unbelievable player, an elite soccer player - they are going to do their best to stop him scoring goals. Henderson has now scored five goals in the FA Cup this season Credit: Getty Images “They want to impress because it’s an opportunity to showcase their skill set against a Premier League side.” Henderson has now scored five times in the FA Cup this season and has helped position Rochdale for their best-ever run if they should manage to reach the quarter-finals. And the fact Keith Hill’s side has beaten Championship opposition in Millwall means the veteran striker refuses to write off Newport’s hopes of an upset tonight. He added: “Who knows? Spurs have to play Newport. “You see the magic of the Cup when we have beaten a team from a higher league, so you never know what’s going to happen. Who knows? Football is a magical game. “Spurs could have a real off night and Newport could be exceptional.”

Ian Henderson’s fifth goal in this season’s FA Cup gave Rochdale plenty to cheer, but the manner of their supporters’ post-match celebrations angered Millwall manager Neil Harris. Millwall’s players and supporters were confronted by home fans who ran on to the field towards the away section, while Harris was involved in a strong exchange with a few members of the crowd by the mouth of the tunnel a few minutes after the game. “I thought the Rochdale fans were a disgrace at the end, to be honest,” Harris said. “I’m not going to stand here as the Millwall manager and complain about fan bases. But the way it was managed at the end, the way our fans were goaded, wasn’t right.” Harris, however, was keen to compliment League One strugglers Rochdale for engineering a victory that secured a place in the fifth-round for only the third time in the club’s history. Now manager Keith Hill and his players can look forward to a home tie against either Tottenham Hotspur or Newport. “My head says let’s play against Newport but my heart says Tottenham,” said Hill. “We want to go as deep in the competition as possible and our best chance would be to play against Newport.” FA Cup fifth round draw If it is to be Mauricio Pochettino and Harry Kane who visit, they ought to beware of the pitch. Rochdale’s heavily sanded surface, which had not been able to host a game for four weeks before last night, is surely the worst in the English Football League. So in those circumstances, Henderson’s well-worked 54th-minute winner was a minor miracle. The forward started the move, setting Calvin Andrew away to beat Jason Shackell down the left, and then swept in the low cross at the near post. Match details Rochdale (3-5-2): Lillis; McGahey, McNulty, Delaney; Rafferty, Cannon, Camps, Kitching, Done; Henderson, Andrew. Substitutes: Ntlhe, Rathborne, Thompson, Inman, Moore (g), Adshead, Gillam. Millwall (4-4-2): Martin; McLaughlin, Hutchinson, Shackell, Meredith; Tunnicliffe (Gregory 63), Williams, Thompson, Ferguson (Morison 63); Elliott, Onyedinma (Wallace 78). Booked: Cannon. Substitutes: Archer (g), Romeo, Saville, Cooper. Booked: McLaughlin. Referee: Tim Robinson (West Sussex) Attendance: 2,790.